Ukraine faces decision on security guarantees

Germany debates security guarantees as Zelenskyy urges Russia to end the war

Zelenskyy calls for end to war as Germany weighs security guarantees

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterates that Russia must end the war it started, even as former U.S. president Donald Trump says Kyiv could stop the fighting almost immediately. Trump will host Zelenskyy and several European leaders later this week.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul cautions against a rapid troop deployment as part of Western security guarantees. He says the process would be difficult and no firm pact exists with other EU members yet, adding that decisions on troop capacity lie with Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. Wadephul also notes Germany could support Kyiv with military and technical aid in the meantime. The remarks drew reprimands from fellow conservatives, while parliamentary foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter argued that Germany must provide ground forces to be taken seriously.

The debate shows a core tension in Western strategy: Ukraine seeks credible security guarantees, while many European partners fear domestic costs. Germany’s stance highlights how security commitments can become a domestic political test as much as a policy option. The discussion also underscores how alliance dynamics work in real time, with Lithuania hosting allied forces and decisions in Berlin still unsettled.

If the alliance cannot turn words into concrete steps, Zelenskyy’s demand risks becoming a political test rather than a strategic one. The outcome will depend on how Washington and European capitals translate assurances into real support that can endure public scrutiny and budget pressures.

Highlights

The real test starts now as words meet decisions on the ground.